What Does a Hemodialysis Technician Do?
Posted on 02.10.2020
When the kidneys fail, dialysis is a necessary, life-saving treatment. Without it, a patient would only live for a few weeks before the toxicity levels in their body become too high, and they die. A hemodialysis technician helps doctors administer this procedure. They monitor patients undergoing dialysis, assist with any questions or concerns, and maintain dialysis machines and equipment.
How Do I Become a Hemodialysis Technician?
Working in the healthcare industry doesn’t mean that you have to go to med school or even through a graduate program. To become a hemodialysis technician, you only have to finish a certification program. Once you complete the program, you can start your new career as a dialysis tech.
How Long Does it Take To be a Dialysis Tech?
With CareerStep’s flexible online course, you can be trained and working in as little as three months. Not everyone can dedicate themselves to full-time study, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying to become a dialysis tech. CareerStep’s program is entirely online and allows you to study at your own pace.
How Many Hours Do Dialysis Techs Work?
For most hospitals and clinics, a 40-hour week is standard. But depending on your location, part-time work may be available. Sometimes a tech is even able to work in a patient’s private home. Depending on the location and their business hours, you might work some evenings and weekends.
What is the Starting Salary for a Dialysis Technician?
The average pay for a certified hemodialysis technician is $21 an hour, which translates to $42,000 a year if you’re a salaried employee. Depending on your location, experience, and hours worked, this amount might be different for you.
Do Dialysis Techs Draw Blood?
Yes, a dialysis tech is trained to draw blood. In fact, it’ll be one of your primary responsibilities. Patients need to have their blood collected to measure toxicity levels and make sure the dialysis process is working.
Are Dialysis Technicians in Demand?
Yes, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be an 11% growth in the next ten years. This is a much higher estimated growth rate than other careers, so the already high demand for dialysis technicians is only going to increase.
Is a Dialysis Tech a Good Career?
For many people, working as a dialysis tech is a great career. It gives them a stable job in the medical field, providing valuable life-sustaining services to people in need. To find out if being a hemodialysis technician is right for you, visit CareerStep’s program page.
Crystal M Bain
January 28, 2022 at 12:28 pmAwesome information thank you 😊
TMBG
March 13, 2022 at 5:03 amI’ve been in the Dialysis field for 3 years and I love it! It’s hard work due to the level of stress, long hours and standing/walking. Clinics usually operate with short staff so be prepared to help cover the deficit. The money looks good on paper but this type of work should pay more for experience. I started late (55) I finally have a lucrative career and I’m CCHT certified. One of the best things tho, is you can be hired with no Dialysis background, the company will train you but starting at that level does not pay well. Hope this helps
Tiffanee Gurney
March 14, 2022 at 12:38 pmThank you for the comments, TMBG. CareerStep’s online training programs are designed to teach you the skills and competencies necessary to perform the tasks associated with the job at a highly effective level. You can feel confident that when you complete our program you will be ready for certification and a career. In some states and some circumstances, you can get hired initially without certification and lack of experience. It’s our experience that when given the choice, health systems, and pharmacies will hire trained and certified candidates over non-trained and uncertified candidates almost always. We are seeing more and more states requiring the BONENT exam. To take the BONENT exam you have to take an approved program or a minimum of 6 months of experience in nephrology patient care and current active participation in an ESRD facility. Also to work with Medicaid patients, you have to be certified. In addition, we provide Career Preparation and Employment Assistance. This includes a variety of items such as resume review and guidance, interviewing skills, job search training, and we make as many introductions to our Hiring Partners as possible.